US climate envoy plans summit with China on methane and polluting gases

09 Sep 2024 CW Team

US climate envoy John Podesta announced that progress was being made toward organizing a summit with China to address the reduction of methane and other highly polluting non-CO2 gases. Podesta reported that discussions with his Chinese counterpart, Liu Zhenmin, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing were "excellent."

Although Podesta acknowledged "some differences," he indicated that both sides had made plans to hold a summit focusing on non-CO2 gases, including methane, N2O, and hydrofluorocarbons. He emphasised that these gases, though receiving less attention, constitute a significant portion of what contributes to global warming.

China, the largest emitter of greenhouse gases that drive climate change, including methane, is followed by the United States in emission levels. Climate discussions often concentrate on reducing CO2, the most dangerous greenhouse gas. However, due to its potent effect and relatively short atmospheric lifespan, methane is a crucial target for countries aiming to quickly cut emissions and mitigate climate change.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that methane emissions from the fossil fuel industry have increased for three consecutive years, reaching near-record highs in 2023. The United States has previously expressed a desire to convene a summit with China on these gases at the upcoming United Nations COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan in November.

Real Estate

05 Sep 2025

Vitizen Hotels Signs Deal at Manyata Tech Park

Vikram Kamats Hospitality, as part of its ongoing expansion in key metropolitan markets, announced that its material subsidiary, Vitizen Hotels, has signed a long-term lease agreement for a 45-key hotel property at Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.Strategically located in the city’s prominent IT hub, the property is well-positioned to serve corporate travelers, business professionals, and long-stay guests. The addition aligns with the company’s asset-light growth model, leveraging long-term leases to expand its footprint in high-demand urban markets.The hotel is expected to strengthen the comp..

CONCOR Signs MoU with BPIPL to Operate Container Terminal at Bhavnagar Port

Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure (BPIPL) on September 4, 2025, in New Delhi to operate and maintain the upcoming container terminal at the northside of Bhavnagar Port, Gujarat.BPIPL had earlier entered into an agreement with the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) in September 2024 for the port’s development. Under this arrangement, 235 hectares of land has been leased to BPIPL for 30 years, with provision for expansion by an additional 250 hectares.The new terminal is expected to significantly enhance logistic..

Concord Launches India’s First Indigenous Zero-Emission Rail Propulsion

Concord Control Systems (CCSL), a leader in embedded electronics and critical rail technologies, has announced the development of India’s first fully indigenous zero-emission propulsion system, marking a significant step toward the country’s railway electrification and net-zero goals for 2030.Powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and featuring a DC chopper-based drive, the propulsion system eliminates idling losses common in diesel engines, offering higher efficiency, lower costs, and zero emissions.What sets this innovation apart is its completely indigenous design. Except for..